VANIR
Contents
Vanir
NJORDR -- God of the Sea & the Winds
Aliases: Njord, Njor, Niord
When the Vanir sent hostages to the Æsir, Njörðr was among them. He was the husband of Skaði, until they divorced because they could not live together, for he despised the mountains and she despised the sea. Despite their separation, Njörðr remained close to Skaði, often helping those who sought a divorce. It is well known that Loki is quite wary of the sea God, as he possesses the ability to calm fire. The God of Wind and Sea is inconstant enough that even Loki gives him a wide berth, for he does not merely calm fire but tame it. His name was on the lips of every Viking sailor as they took to sea.
Father of Freyr and Freya, Njord is the eldest of the Vanir, and never speaks of his sister-wife, the mother of his two most famous children. Under his leadership, the Vanir won many victories in the war with the Æsir, wrecking Ásgarð’s walls in a furious battle. Yet today, the sea God spends most of his time near the ocean, at peace. Sometimes Njörðr appears as a sun-kissed, weathered old man clad in a raincoat. His Incarnations can be a lighthouse keeper, or a fisherman seeking the catch of the day. Other times he takes on lovers as a young rich bachelor that dwells in an oceanside mansion. No matter his form, there is the subtle scent of salt water in his hair, and a longing for the greater life, love, and lady.
Rich in life as he is in wealth, Njörðr is a light in the darkness for a community or for a single ship lost at sea. A God of Fertility, he has many children, and loves them all equally, if distantly. He sets the example for his Scions of responsible leadership under difficult circumstances. Like the harsh sea that batters the stony shoreline, he teaches his Scions that over time, cruel realities and harsh ways, doing what must be done, result in a stronger and healthier society —the smoothest of sands to be enjoyed by many.
Provinces: Creator, Hunter, Liminal
Dominions: FERTILITY, FIRE, JOURNEYS, PROSPERITY, SKY, & WATER
FREYR -- God of Fertility and Prosperity
Aliases: Frey
Freyr is the son of Njörðr, brother of Freya. He became so consumed with desire by a mere glance upon Gerðr, a daughter of a giant, that he stopped eating. No longer able to contain his lovelorn state, he sent his servant, Skírnir, to convince Gerðr to marry him. Skírnir agreed, as long as he could have Freyr’s sword — a magical weapon that could fight on its own. Without hesitation, the God accepted the terms. Nine days later, he had the woman of his dreams. Lacking the sword, Freyr cannot defeat Surtr in Ragnarok, but to him, love is far more important. Called the Battle-Bold, he once fought an army armed with only a stag’s antler, and conquered Sweden to found a royal dynasty.
The most powerfully fertile of all the Norse Gods, Freyr overlooks both mortals and the lives of the plants of the World. Beautiful and charming, Freyr is the spark of life. In war, he is adrenaline; in fear, he is rationality. His radiant light overcomes sorrow and despair as he wanders the World with his ship and pet boar, sowing seeds both literal and metaphorical. Brown-haired with a linebacker’s strong build, Freyr’s Incarnations can be found volunteering to aid the suicidal, starring in pornographic movies, or spending billions in charity money to bring fortune to the less than fortunate.
Always the best-dressed man in the room, Freyr believes that his Scions should follow in his steps: Be a leader, but also be willing to listen to the misguided and the hurting. He conspires to make opportunities flow to them no matter their desire. He stresses making a difference in Miðgarðr rather than the other Nine Worlds, and implores his innumerable children to be aware of the influence they have on others.
Provinces: Lover, Leader, Warrior
Dominions: FERTILITY, ORDER, REVELATION, WAR & WILD
FREYA -- Goddess of Fertility, Love, Lust & War
Aliases: Frau, Freyja
Like Odin, Freya collects the souls of the battle-slain. As leader of the Valkyries, she even gets first pick. Covetous and cruel but forgiving and merciful in equal turns, she loves the din of battle, but cherishes the quiet moments. She collects the worthiest, and must always take a number equal to the All-Father’s. The souls she chooses go to the hall of Sessrúmnir, which is also a grand ship stranded in the field of Fólkvangr, there to train and innovate and prepare for a great offense rather than merely feasting and slaying during the day. When she sheds tears for her warriors, they are tears of amber, clattering upon the ground and enriching those for whom they fall. She once met with Odin in the guise of a wise woman, and is skilled in the art of Seiðr. Her sexual appetite is voracious, but she never takes a lover who doesn’t know what they’re in for. She inspires shieldmaidens across the World, who pray to her for protection and inspiration in battle.
One of the Vanir, Freya is a ginger woman of clear skin and clearer eye, older and matronly yet still gorgeous. One of the original feminists, she encourages self-aware-ness, beauty, and worth in women, and while she respects boundaries, she doesn’t always enjoy that they exist. Freya’s Incarnations can be found running establishments — anything from a Krav Maga studio to a high-end jewelry store to a bakery to a boutique with the latest fashion trends. She always leads, and she always makes a worthwhile product.
Like Freya, her Scions are full of passion. They are devoted to being as well-rounded and diverse as her — to fight, to love, and to understand the nature of magic and war. Sometimes, they can gain her ability of seiðr, through meditation and focus. Her Scions can expect that she is invested in their existence and sometimes, just sometimes, she leaves behind flashy jewelry that must be worn. To do otherwise would be a slight.
Province: Lover, Guardian, Sage
Dominions: CHANCE, DEATH, ENDURANCE, FERTILITY, PASSION (Love, Lust), REVELATION, & WAR
